The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-24
SILK CULTURE IN KANSAS.
An Address Before the Kansas Legislature
by Prof. HOrner.

An Address Before the Kansas Legislature
by Prof. Horner.
The following address upon silk culture was
recently delivered before the present session OF
the Ksusas Legislature by Prof. Horner, OF EN-
poria:
M. Prssirsnt oad members Of the EaRsGs Legis-
IGfure:
lam happy for the opportunity now afforded
TO address you, as representative men. on So
important g subject as the silk culture industry;
and while have no purpose IN approaching thls
Legislative body other than TO enhshten you
relative to the question at issue, think my
argument will appear more intelligent Whehl
demonstrate the simple operation OF SIX reel
ing. In viewing this operation with TINS cruos'
simple reel you can not for moment doubt tne
great possibilities when the mechanical economy
of the ingenious American is brought IN contacs-
with the silk reeling industry. Proceeding 10
reel he soon produced very handsome sKeln
Of silk, which was passed to the audience lor
examination.1
Proceeding. the professor said: The magnl-
tude of the silk culture industry in ChinaJ Japan,
Italy and South Russia is beyond our compre-
hension while in nearly all Oriental countries IT
has attained 10 great proportions as an auxiliary
in national support, siIording suitable employ
ment TO millions Of people, especially 10 women
and dependent children in rural and suburban
districts. The maximum annual production or
China, Japan and few other Oriental countries,
adding Italy, France and other European coun-
tries is estimated at value OF SOO.OOO,0o0, and
with the rapid increase of population in the
United States there is q necessity for broad
ened opportunities of support During the past
year there was imported 24,0OOOOO worth OF
raw (reeled) silk and the noles (waste) which
after being manufactured in the United States
was valued at St, ,OOO, 600; adding the imported
manufactured silk valued at S2S,0O0,OO0, making
an annual consumption of nearly SlOOOW,WO,
which should be supplied by the American pro-
ducer.
The argument commonly used against silk
| culture in this country is the want OF cheap
labor" but an American citizen. and eSpe-
cially as a citizen of the great State OF Kansas,
| which by nature is favored with the essential
elements for successful sericulture, am slow
| to believe that the hampered Oriental labor is
| equal to your intelligence and broad opportuni-
! ties. Orientals are content with small produc-
tion as we'll as with the slow imperfect methods.
of their ancestors; but the American by his
| broad opportunities, by his intelligence, will
exercise greater economy, and fully meet the
emergencies.
| Success in silk culture is largely due to an
| adapted climate, and suitable soil for the Wig
orous but healthful growth of the mulberry tree;
and having made careful research in this
| spect, represent that there is a broad zone of
this continent especially adapted to the indus
| try This is due to the dryness Of the atmos-
phere, and as these essential elements are found
in Kansas and a vast district lying to the south
and west, the Legislature should make early
| provision to commercially develop this impor-
| tant industry and thereby become the common
center to which the products Of other States
will be sent and subserye to our advantage in
the silk manufacture. This is the golden OPP
portunity for Kansas TO become the silk center
of the New World. Let her representative
men arise in their dignity and by judicious ac-
tion declare that Kansas shall become the great
commercial center of sericuliure and don the
robe of silk. To put it in n very modified way
millions of dollars now lie buried under the
buffalo sod OF our treeless plains that should
come into our treasures through the avenue Of
this industry.
Beside the commercial advantage TO be de-
rived from the industry the multiplied millions
of valuable mulberry trees and hedges that
would decorate our bleak plains, in which the
farmer would have his fence posts and fuel fur
nished in his orchard screens and shelterbelts-,
would be OF inestimable value to and rapidly in
crease the value of our real estate.
Another great advantage will accrue from the
| development of the industry, as by judcious ef
| fort the present drain on our State treasury
will be curtailed, a.fording those unfortunate
| people a suitable line Of light labor by which
| they may receive maintenance and render them
| far more happy. More than a million dollars
will be needed to support our State chari
ties for the next biennial term. Think
Of the cost TO the State for the next ten years
This needless expenditure should be curtailee
by the development Of silk culture. Last, bun.
not least, the great want of the industrial devel
opment of the American girls will be found in
the industry. For this reason largely. have
labored faithfully for years, and now press this
matter upon this representative body and trust
they will take such action TO establish the in
dustry, which can be most successfully done by
establishing a silk station, through which insti-
tuition practical scientific knowledge free, thor
oughbred silk worm seed and mulberry seed may
be distributed, and likewise furnish market
for cOcOons until the necessary silk Feeling fac
tories will be established, and thereby put silk